Yes they can. They can focus on a specific model, even work directly with the OEM (or be the OEM), put a $60 price tag on the box, and have a warranty that says "We guarantee that this Linux distro will work out of the box on model X; we'll keep all the software updated for a year; you can call us if it breaks; and we'll refund you if we can't help." If no one can make that sort of guarantee for money; why should I even bother trying to do it myself?
I mean sure, I can take your money. I can promise you things. So what?
What do you mean so what? People can always go back on their contracts, does that mean nobody should do anything ever?
If you're promising to support, say, Ubuntu 11.10 on a Blah Blah GX23921r3i laptop, then the 'so what' means that if I can't get wireless working, I'll contact your support and you will, because you've promised that hardware and that OS can work and that you know how to make it do so. It means I can trust X hardware and software to make a usable combination without having to gamble that I hit a compatible X driver or Y setting on my own, or put up with a laptop which can't wake from sleep, or whatever.
And why the hell was I downmodded for asking a legit question? Is this place falling into reddit land?
No whinging about downvotes - it could be someone on a mobile device misclicking for all we know.
I mean sure, I can take your money. I can promise you things. So what?
And why the hell was I downmodded for asking a legit question? Is this place falling into reddit land?